Summer Rescue 1: Malu (now Betty-Lou)

She came to us very young (estimated 8-10 weeks).  Someone had given her to my mom's boyfriend (Sal).  The person that gave her away had the mom and was trying to get rid of the litter, she was the last one.  Sal was told that if he did not take her she would be left in the street.  He called home and mom and I said yes right away.  She had a bath as soon as she came (6/25/2010) and pictures went up on FB and emails were sent.  She had her first set of shots that weekend.  I received a couple of emails and calls the following weeks, but the one that stuck out was one I had received early Monday morning (first Monday we had her).  Being a possible Pitbull mix I was highly concerned about finding the perfect adoptive family.  I spoke with Elaina (the person that sent me the email) and after one long conversation with her over the phone I knew that her and her family were the perfect family & home for Malu.

(This is the picture with which Elaina fell in love with Malu and named her Betty since.)

They drove out more than an hour to meet her and Malu fell in love with them (and they with her).  We continued to communicate via email & phone, updating her with her progress with pictures and videos.  Due to different circumstances and what was best for Malu she stayed with us for a while.  During that time I potty trained her and taught her a couple of tricks (sit, down, shake, high five, rollover).  I also took her with me almost everywhere to make sure she interacted with other people, dogs, and even cats.  She went to a 4th of July party with Phillip (my boyfriend) and I and everyone was surprised at how well behaved, sweet, and calm she was (heavy metal concert and fireworks did not face her <-- people thought she was deaf).  In one of the emails (or phone calls) Elaina informed me that she would be adding Lou to Betty  to make her Betty-Lou to honor my name choice and to hopefully remind her of me.  On August 14th 2010 I dropped off Betty-Lou at her new home to her new and awesome family.

 Elaina has been kind to update me with pictures and I even got to visit her and see what a gorgeous and sweet girl she has become.

Getting this started with a not-so-short intro....

My 1st dog was a Christmas gift from my mom at the age of 7.  Her name was Pinina and she was wonderful, loyal, and therapeutic.  Since then I have loved dogs and have started rescuing them more recently.  I have my own babies: Xi-Xi, Chicho, & Charlie (background picture).  I have used Xi-Xi at my old work as free-lance pet therapy.  Chicho was our first rescue.  He was a stray that was never claimed.  We were going to give him away but decided to keep him instead.  Charlie we got as a puppy.  He is the product of inbreeding and as a consequence has a lot of health issues (reason why I am strongly against pet stores selling puppies and backyard breeding).  Our second rescue was a stray pug with a severe eye & throat infection, which I just could not take care of (monetarily) and gave to Little Angels Pug Rescue.  Since then I have become the crazy lady chasing strays down the street and getting people to sign over pets that they do not care about so that I can get them fixed and find them a permanent loving home.  I am also the lady people come looking for when they do not want their pets or have found strays.  My family, boyfriend, and recently my neighbor help me rescue.  My animal lover network grows every day, which is key when I need to send out those mass emails about my latest rescues.  If you think you can help expand it please email me your email address or share my blog link on your webpage/emails/etc.  I am only 1 person doing what I can with what I have (with monetary help from others).  I hope my actions and this blog spread awareness of how many thousands of pets are out there needing a home and or being put to sleep everyday.  I also hope it inspires others to rescue, spay and neuter their pets, and spread the word.  Please please please RESCUE!  Do not purchase unless it is from an AKC breeder (do not support heartless backyard breeders).